Three-product nozzle-type centrifuge



Aug. 17, 1965 R. H. HALBACH ETAL 3 THREE-PRODUCT NOZZLE-TYPE CENTRIFUGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 11, 1964 FIG.2 1

b 2 G F INVENTORS. RALPH H. HALBACH BADAWI W. TLEIMAT ATTORNEY.

1?, 1965 R. H. HALBACH ETAL 3,

THREE-PRODUCT NOZZLE-TYPE CENTRIFUGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 11. 1964 TLEIMAT 2 am, ATTORNEY l I I I I J INVENTORS- RALPH H. HALBACH BY BADAWI W.

I (avian h,

GSQ 5 Aug. 17, 1965 R. H. HALBACH ETAL 3, 0 3

THREE-PRODUCT NOZZLE-TYPE CENTRIFUGE 5 Sheefs-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 11. 1964 FIG. 5

INVENTORS. RALPH H. HA LBACH BY BADAWI W- TLEIMAT (Maw/e ATTORNEY 1965 R. H. HALBACH ETAL 3,201,036?

THREE-PRODUCT NO Z ZLE-TYPE CENTR IFUGE Filed Aug. 11, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IZB-W F IG. 6

INVENTORS. RALPH H. HALBACH BADAWI W. TLEIMAT Zwdom 7!, 0 5 1,

ATTORNEY.

United States Patent Office 3,2l,35 Patented Aug. 17, 11965 This application is a continuation-in-part of our co-.

pending application Serial No. 36,229, filed June 15, 1960, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to improvements in centrifuges for effecting the separation of the feed mixture or emulsion into overflow liquid fractions of different specific gravities and a heavier solids bearing concentrate derived from the centrifugal separation chamber in the rotor bowl of the centrifuge.

Centrifugal machines for this purpose are of the socalled nozzle type as distinct from the so-called solid bowl construction which latter lacks the discharge nozzles for discharging a concentrate. Solid bowls are, therefore, limited to the separation of component liquids of different specific gravities by overflow.

More particularly, this invention is concerned with a nozzle-type machine for three-product centrifugal operation of the respective components of a solids bearing mixture, where solids bearing concentrate discharges from the nozzles provided upon the outer periphery of the separating chamber, while the two liquid fractions of different specific gravities discharge through respective overflow passages. For example, crude oil may thus be separated into an oil fraction, a water fraction, and a concentrate which may consist of water containing solids such as sand and other particles.

Control liquid, or nozzle discharge material, or both, may be supplied into the rotor bowl to satisfy the nozzle flow requirements as well as for establishing operating balance as between the underflow from the nozzles and the overflows. By these controls it is possible to regulate the underflow concentration as well as to control the location of the respective centrifugal separation zones in the bowl, and also to effect washing of the solids to free them of mother liquor or dissolved values or the like before they discharge from the nozzle means as concent'rates. Varying the diameter of at least one of the overflows is another means of influencing the separating operation within the bowl.

This invention has among its objects to providean improved centrifugal machine for effecting a greatly improved separation of the fractions. The invention, therefore, is directed towards obtaining the fractions at, maximum purity, in that contamination of any of the fractions by any of the other fractions is minimized or substantially avoided. More particularly, the object is to provide an improved rotor bowl constructed so as to greatly improve the separation of the two liquid overflows from each other by minimizing or eliminating the possibility of their getting intermingled in the operation 7 of the machine.

Other objects are to provide a rotor bowl which is so compartmented and otherwise organized as to embody a high degree of structural and operational flexibility and to be adaptable to a variety of operating requirements and conditions, but nevertheless of simple construction and readily accessible interiorly as for cleaning and inspection, and to make available a relative maximum of volumetric capacity in the separating chamber.

The invention is embodied in a rotor bowl exemplified in a construction of preferably double-conical configuration wherein two overflow liquids discharge from respective overflows. at opposite ends of the bowl, while solids bearing underflow fraction may discharge through the nozzles about midway between the relatively constricted end portions of the bowl, from the centrifugal separating chamber in the bowl. A hub portion is preferably integral with the nozzle-carrying portion of the bowl which has a constricted open end providing the primary overflow, the rotor shaft extending from the hub portion through the separating chamber and through the overflow end of this bowl.

Among the more specific objects are to make possible the introduction of the feed. mixture into the rotor selectively in various ways, either from the top or from the bottom substantially without alteration of the rotor bowl, so that the feed may be through the rotor shaft or else through stationary feed devices; and to provide flexibility of arrangement in the number of feed-, wash, and secondary overflow openings in the bowl.

To attain the foregoing objects, the invention provides a complementary construction or casting which is detachably connected to the hub portion of the separating chamber, featuring a compact and novel compartmentation in a special arrangement of chambers, ports, ducts, and impeller means for handling the flow of incoming feed mixture, of return underflow or control liquid, and

also the discharging of the secondary overflow.

This complementary compartmented construction in one embodiment has a recess facing the hub portion of the separating chamber and constituting therewith an inner chamber communicating with corresponding influent passages in the hub for introducing one of the in-. flowing liquids or materials into the separating chamber; an intermediate chamber communicating with other influent passages in the hub for introducing the other one of the inliowing liquids or materials into the separating chamber; and a third or outer annular chamber preferably surrounding the intermediate chamber and communicating with still other passages, namely ,efliuent passages in the hub portion through whichan intermediate fraction may pass from the separating chamber out into this annular outer chamber for discharge as secondary overflow across a ring-shaped dam.

Preferably, the complementary construction is turnably positionable about the rotor axis so that different.

chambers, ducts, and ports therein can be brought into communicating relationship selectively with diflferent sets of flow passages in the hub portion of the bowl. In this way, provision can be made for introducing feed mixture either from the top or from the bottom.

According to another feature, different kinds of liquids may be introduced into the rotor simultaneously from both ends, for mixing in a mixing chamberwhence the mixture passes into the separating chamber.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is, therefore, illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the' description preceding them, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds, are, therefore, intended to be embraced by the claims.

FIGURE 1 is a vertical section through a centrifuge incorporating the'improved rotor and impeller of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded fragmentary verticalsection of one end of the rotor of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 2a is a top view of the complementary construction of the present invention taken on line 2a-2a of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2b is a bottom view of the complementary construction taken on line 2b-2b of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section of a modified arrangement of the rotor of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical section of another modified arrangement of the rotor of the invention.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section of a further modified arrangement of the rotor of the present invention.

FIGURES 6 and 7 are diagrammatic presentations of still further modified arrangements of the invention.

A centrifuge embodying the invention exemplified in FIGURE 1 comprises a rotor 10 mounted for rotation in a housing 11 by hollow rotor shaft 12 being rotatably suspended as in an overhead bracket construction or supporting means indicated by bracket portions 13 mounted atop the housing 11.

The rotor as constructed in accordance with this invention is of substantially double-conical configuration, and operates to effectively separate the feed mixture, for example crude oil, into its three main components, namely oil, water, and solids bearing aqueous sludge or slurry or a concentrate. The crude oil mixture or emulsion entering the rotor as through the hollow shaft 12 is centrifugally separated into a primary or light overflow fraction 14 such as clean oil discharging from the top end of the rotor, an intermediate or heavier fraction 15, namely water discharging from the rotor bottom end, and a heavy fraction 16 or solids bearing concentrate or the like discharging through nozzles mounted in the wide peripheral portion of the rotor between the relatively constricted top and bottom overflow discharging ends thereof.

An annular partition 18 divides the housing into an upper chamber 19 for receiving the primary overflow, and a lower chamber designed to receive both the secondary overflow or water and the underfiow of solids bearing concentrate discharging from the nozzles. In this example, both these latter fractions mix in the lower chamber for discharge into the receiver tank 20 whence a pump 21 may return a portion of the water-solids mixture as through control valve 22 into the rotor centrally through the bottom end thereof, while another portion may discharge from the system as through a control valve 23.

With the Valve 22 at least partially open, the discharge valve 23 may be manipulated to vary the rate at which the discharging mixture will recirculate for the purpose of satisfying the nozzle requirements, or of controlling the concentration of the underflow discharging from the nozzle, or of establishing a suitably located interface between the water and the oil in the separating chamber of the rotor bowl. In the instance of crude oil separation treatment, for example if no solids are contained in the oil-water mixture it will be understood that water fraction alone may be recirculated to satisfy nozzle requirements and with respect to establishing a proper wateroil interface. If sufiicient water for such control purposes is not available in the crude oil mixture itself, then auxiliary water may be introduced as needed, such as is indicated, for example by the supply valve 24 connected with the receiver tank. However, auxiliary water may also be introduced at various other points of the system.

Furthermore, the improved rotor construction of this invention can be advantageously used, for example where a three-product separation requires the discharge and recovery of the two overflows separate from each other and at a. high degree of purity, as well as separate from the underflow.

The improved rotor construction itself, in more detail, comprises a hub portion 26 fixed to the shaft 12 and preferably integral with a body portion 27 of the rotor bowl. This body portion 2'7 has t-runco-conical end portions 23 and 29 constituting between them the outer pe ripheral portion or nozzle section of the bowl, wherein the discharge nozzles 3d are located, such nozzles of themselves being known in the art. A- bowl end portion in the form of a flanged conical terminal member 31 is removably fastened to the top end of body portion 27 opposite to the hub, and is formed with a discharge neck 32 terminating in overflow lip 33 for discharging the primary overflow 14 at the top into the receiving chamber 19 and out through an outlet 34.

Fitted onto the hub and around the shaft is an extension member 35 providing upward flow channels 36 between vanes 36a to open radially outwardly towards the separating chamber, through which channels the light liquid fraction may pass for discharge as primary overflow from the top of the bowl. The extension member 35 is held in place by the abutting engagement of its top end portion with the conical member 31, and it is surrounded by a stack of separating discs 37 the function of which is well-known in the art with respect to separating any heavier particles carried by the light fraction while the same is passing through the interstices between the discs and up the channels 36 tothe overflow.

The separating discs are penetrated in a conventional manner by vertical perforated feed tubes 38 communicating with transfer passages 39 located in the hub and which in turn communicate with feed transfer conduit means (see FIG. 3) herein also termed the inner influent chamber extending between the passages 39 and the hollow axial passage 41 in the shaft through which the feed mixture may be fed into the bowl.

According to the invention, the transfer conduit means 49 are provided, in part, by a complementary construction 42 which is compartmented and organized in a special manner for cooperation with the hub portion of the bowl and detachably connected to the underside thereof. Thus, the conduit means is formed (see FIG.'2) by a recess R in the inner transverse face P4 of the construction or part 42, which recess faces upwardly towards the hub portion of the bowl and constitutes with the other transverse face F-2 thereof the transfer conduit or inner influent chamber 43;. The transverse conduit means 4% has a central conduit portion 463a and radial conduit portions extending therefrom to, and communicating with the respective feed tubes 38. Similarly, the part 42 constitutes in cooperation with the hub portion an annular conduit 43 concentric with the shaft and communicating with convergent conduits 44 formed or provided in the hub portion of the bowl.

An intermediate fraction of the material from the separating chamber. 17 may flow through these convergent conduits 44 downwardly via the annular conduit 43 into downwardly convergent extension conduits or passages 45 formed in the part 42 and terminating in an annular discharge chamber 46 provided with ring dam 47 held in place by a retainer ring 48. The discharge chamber 46 and the ring dam surround an influent chamber 49 centrally formed in the part 42, and from which in turn extend upwardly divergent passages 5t defined by radial vanes 50a, communicating with inserted upwardly diverpart 42 appears more clearly in the exploded view of FIGURE 2 indicating the manner in which the conduit means at is formed by the assembly of part 42 with body portion 27 of the rotor, and also illustrating the manner in which the recess R can be exposed and rendered accessible simply by detaching the construction 42. This detail also illustrates more clearly the location of the divergent passages or bores 52 and 52a through which extend the divergent return tubes 51 when the rotor is as- Lock nuts 54 and 55 and a' key connection as are also shown to indicate how the sembled as in FEGURE *l.

shaft 12 is rigidly secured to the rotor hub.

The hub portion is further provided with special passages 57 which in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2 are shown inactive being then blocked by the bottom face of the extension member 35, which passages 57, however, can be rendered active feed flow passages for purposes appearing in the modified embodiment of FIG- URES 3 and 4.

The structure of the rotor shown greatly enlarged in the detail FIG. 3 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, except for a difference in the manner whereby the feed mixture is introduced through the top end of the rotor and then channeled through the aforementioned special passages 57 in the hub and thereby affording certain advantages described below.

While some like parts in this rotor are designated by like numerals as compared with the rotor of FIG. 1, the modified feed arrangement comprises a differently constructed extension member 58 forming a feed chamber 59 with downwardly continuing feed passages 60 that register and communicate with the special passages 57 in the hub. In this way, feed mixture may flow from the feed chamber 59 through the passages 60 and 57 and then through the outer ends of feed transfer passage 40 into the respective vertical feed distributing tubes 38 provided in the separating chamber of the bowl. Accordingly, the extension member 58 seated on the hub surrounds an annular feed inlet 61 formed by two concentrically arranged stationary tubes 62 and 63 which in turn surround a solid shaft 64 fixed to the rotor hub by means of a pair of lock nuts 65 and 66. together with a first key connection 67 between the shaft and an adaptor sleeve 67a, and a second key connection 68 between this adaptor sleeve and the rotor hub.

Thus, feed mixture 69 from the annular feed inlet 61 will enter the feed chamber 59, and then through connecting passages fill pass through the new active special feed passages 57 into the separating chamber 17. By thus arranging for the feed mixture to bypass the separating chamber through special feed passages 57 and through the outer ends of passage 40 reach the. feed tubes 33, maximum space is made available for the separating chamber 17, afi'ording an additional gain in the volumetric capacity thereof.

It will be noted with respect to the compartmented construction or complementary part 42 in the embodiment of FIG. 3, that a removable plug 71 closes an opening 72 provided in the wall portion 73 that separates the transfer conduit 40 from the influent chamber 49, while inFIG;

4the lower end of hollow shaft 12 is closed as by another:

plug 74. By removing plug 71 from the wall portion 73, the opening "72 can be utilizedfor establishing another feed arrangement providing various advantages as illustrated in FIG. 4. In this way, feed mixture may be introduced through the bottom end of the bowl, with the advantage that the feed inlet is located'in a remote position where feed spillage cannot contaminate the overflow, and that furthermore the diameter of the top overflow rim of the bowl can. be reduced to a desirable minimum whereby the volumetric capacity. of the bowl may be correspondingly increased even as the energy losses in the overflow are thereby reduced. Hence, FIG. 4 shows an induction pipe 75 extending upwardly through the opening 72 for delivering feed mixture into the feed passage 40. The feed induction pipe 75 may be surrounded by. or otherwise associated with another upwardly directed induction pipe 76 terminating in the infiuent chamber m 49 for delivering thereto a control liquid or return'underflow from the nozzles for purposes of controlling the where the communicating connections between this part on the one hand, and the in-leading tubes 51 and 38 on the other hand, are reversed. This makes it possible to provide for feed mixture to enter the rotor from the bottom end instead of through the top.

Accordingly, an upwardly directed feed induction pipe 77 now terminates in the influent chamber 49 allowing the feed mixture to flow through upwardly divergent feed passages 52 continuing into the vertical distributing tubes 38, with the feature that sand or other heavy particles in the feed mixture, such crude oil, if desired. may be allowed to escape through a small clearance 77a at the foot of feed distributing tubes and thus make a shortcut into the outer peripheral centrifugal zone discharging through the nozzles with the underflow. Consequently, another induction pipe 78 preferably concentric with pipe 77 extends upwardly through opening 72 for delivering control liquid or return underflow to the upwardly divergent tubes 51 which in turn deliver in the outer zone of the separating chamber, preferably at points midway between respective adjoining nozzles.

Various modes of operating the machine of this invention with the improved rotor structure, will be understood from the FIGS. 1 to 5 so far described, and furthermore from the diagrammatic FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrating the fact that this rotor structure is' operable advanta; geously under diversified conditions.

Whereas the invention as described above provides for the introduction of feed mixture into the rotor either from the top or from the bottom, according to another feature, diiiferent kinds of liquids, that is feed mixture and another feed liquid may be introduced into the rotor simultaneously from the respective ends of the rotor for mixing in a mixing chamber therein. For that purpose, the arrangement of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be utilized in the manner diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively. 7 i

The operation according to the diagrammatic FIG. 6 utilizes the structural arrangement of FIG. 4, with the difference that it provides the passage 127 (see FIG. 6) for the introduction ofadditionalliquid 28 through the hollow shaft, in order that this additional liquid and the feed mixture entering through pipe. 75a may mix in chamber 4%. 1

If the FIG. 4 arrangement is utilized in the manner shown in PEG. 6, a feed material or liquid may enter downwardlythrough the hollow shaft 12 (the plug 74 having been removed) while anothergmaterial or liquid may be introduced upwardly throughv pipe 75, or vice versa, in'order that mixing of these two materials or liquids may take place in chamber (which corresponds to chamber 40:; in FIG. 6) whence the resulting mixture will pass upwardly into the separating chamber byway of the feed distributing tubes 38. At the same time, recirculating underfiow may enter from tube 7a through influent chamber 49 and divergenttubes 51 into the separating chamber in the region of the nozzles.

i The operation according to the diagrammatic FIG. 7 utilizes the structural arrangement of FIGS, withthe difference thatit provides the passage 127 (see FIG. 7)

for the introduction of an additional. liquid 129; through the hollow shaft, in order that this additional liquid and i a control liquid or recirculating underfiow entering through pipe 12i) may mix in thechamber 12.1.

If the FlG. 5 arrangement is thus utilized in the manner shown in FIG. 7, recirculating underflow through pipe enter the chamber 40, While another kind of material or liquid may enter the chamber at: through the hollow shaft 12 (the plug 74 having been removed t here-i from) or vice versa, in order that mixing of the-two ma-- terials may be effected in that chamber, whence the mixture will pass upwardly through divergent tubes 51 into theouter zoneof the separating chamber adjacent to the nozzles. At the'sarne time, feed mixture from pipe '77 '2 a and through intermediate chamber 49 will enter the feed distributing tubes 38a in the separating chamber.

Fromthe foregoing, it will be seen that the invention provides ,a rotor that is simple yet highly flexible with respect .to a variety of possibilities of operation, featuring the compartmented part 42 which comprises all the necessary passages and impellers in a single solid casting attachable to the hub portion of the bowl and matching respective flow passages therein. Respective passages in the parts will register also when changes in theinternal flow channeling are made as by the rotational positioning of the part 42 relative to the bowl. Simplicity of construction, of assembly, of maintenance of the ma chine, and of accessibility of the various passages are thus achieved by this invention. Also, the arrangement is highly flexible especially with respect to the manner of introducing feed mixture into the rotor in various ways and without requiring any substantial changes in con- 'struction.

One of the ways of feed introduction thus made possible is along a path axially through the rotor shaft as illustrated in FIG. 1, with especial passages '7 then blanked off as shown offering the advantage that possible emul'sification of the components of the feed mixture can be minimized or eliminated.

Another path of feed introduction as in FIG. 3 is through a stationary feedwell at the top end or primary overflow end of the bowl and then through the now open special passages 5'7, requiring only the substitution of a different extension member 58 and of feed inlet tubes 62 and 63 with the member serving as the bushing for the separating discs, and preferably also the substitution of a solid shaft cooperating with an adaptor sleeve 67a.

Yet, the hollow shaft 12 may be retained in this connection'and may be closed at the bottom as by a plug 74 as indicated in FIG. 4.

Another mode of feed introduction possible with the arrangement of this invention is through the bottom end of the rotor as illustrated in PEG. 4, where closure plug '71 has been removed to expose an opening '72 for allowing the feed pipe to discharge into the transfer passage iii. In that instance, either the hollow shaft 12 of FIG. 4 may be employed, or the solid shaft of FIG. 3 may be retained, although with the feed supply conduit means 62 and 63 and the special passages 57 rendered inactive and preferably closed as by suitable closure means'or plugs, or else both a top and tie bottom feed may be used alternatingly or simultaneously in one andthe same machine.

Still anotherpath of internal flow conditions in the rotor is made possible by the particular rotational position of the part 42 as shown in FIG. 5, whereby the communications between the respective in-leading feed flow passages and underflow return passages in the rotor are reversed withrespect to one another, as compared with FIG. 4. Accordingly, feedmixture now enters through passage 52 into feed distributing tubes in the rotor instead of via transfer passage 40, whereas the passage dh is now employedfor channelling the underfiow return into the divergent return tubes 51 into the nozzle section of the separating chamber.

Other flow paths illustrated in FIG-S. 4 and 6 represent flow conditions in the rotor, whereby feed mixture and an'auxiliary or treatment liquid will enter the rotor from opposite ends for mixing in the chamber 40 (see FIG. 4)

, or 40a (see FIG. 6) respectively before entering the separating chamber proper of the bowl. 1

Still other flow paths illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 represent flow conditions in the rotor, whereby recirculating underfiow and an auxiliary or treatment liquid will enter the rotor from opposite ends for mixing in the chamber 40 (see FIG. 5) or 121 (see F1617) respectively before entering the separating chamber proper of the bowl.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find of the first mentioned bowl end portion; a complementary.

. 3 a useful application in other types of centrifuge machines difiering from the ones described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a nozzle type centrifuge machine for three-product separation, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural change may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, while the invention has been exemplified in its application to three-product separation in one instance as of crude oil into clean oil, water, and solids carrying underflow, other applications are conceivable whereby the features and advantages of the invention may be utilized. 7

Also, the feed mixture may contain solids at times, but not at other times, yet the invention may be applied advantageously in both instances. Hence, the invention is not to be considered as limited in this respect. For example, the machine may be employed to advantage for the separation treatment of crude oil in a locality where solids are carried by the oil, as well as in other localities where the crude oil may be solids-free.

Whereas the divergent tubes 51 deliver control liquid or recirculating underfiow in the region of the nozzles, preferably the tubes are arranged so that the respective points of delivery are located about midway between respective nozzles.

Furthermore, the control liquidas herein understood may comprise any kind of liquid passing or returning through the divergent tubes 51, for example wash liquor or recirculating underfiow from the nozzles. I

It should also be understood that some of the features of this invention may be embodied in a rotor construction operating without the secondary overflow, in which case the centrifuge would operate in a two-phase or twoproduct machine, delivering only a light phase product and the overflow, and a heavy phase or underfiow through the nozzles, the concentration of which may be regulated by underflow recirculation control.

In other cases, for example with an oil-water mixture in still another instance, while utilizing some of the '7 features of the invention, it is nevertheless possible to supply the feed mixture as through an annular feedwell arrangement such as illustrated in FIG. 3, while introducing it into the separating chamber proper directly through passages adjacent to the inner face of the hub portion 2-6, instead of through the special passage 57 passing through the hub and communicating with the transfer passage 4d and with the'feed distribution tubes 3%.

' We claim:

1. in a centrifugal machine a rotor structure which comprises a pair of conically shaped bowl end portions having their wide ends connected to each other to constitutea rotor bowl providing an annular separating chamber; overflow discharge means provided at the narrow end of one of said bowl end portions; discharge nozzles provided upon the outer periphery of the bowl'intermediate said bowl end: portions for centrifugally dischargwith a first set of inflow passages in said hub portio'n spaced from one another around the rotor axis and with asecond set of inflowpassages. in said hub portion spaced from onev another around said axis. andgwith divergent inflow conduits extending from respective second set in fiow'passages to the region of said nozzles; a rotor shaft extending from said hub portion through the narrow end construction removably connected to said hub portion and constituting therewith a transverse conduit means having a central portion and radial portions extending therefrom communicating with respective first set inflow passages in the hub portion, said complementary construction turthermore formed with a central influent chamber located outwardly from said transverse conduit means and having a centrally disposed outer entrance opening, and furthermore formed with transfer passages providing communication between said influent chamber and respective second set inflow passages in the hub portion for delivery of control liquid from said influent chamber through said divergent conduits to the region of said nozzles; means for admitting feed mixture into said transverse conduit means for delivery through said first set inflow openings into the separating chamber; and means for discharging from said separating chamber a third fraction, which means comprise a first set of outflow conduits in said hub portion spaced from one another around the rotor axis and having their inlet ends located to receive third fraction material from an intermediate zone in said separating chamber, an annular eflluent chamber in said complementary construction concentric with said influent chamber, a second set of outflow conduits in said complementary construction spaced from one another around the rotor axis and providing communication between said first set of outflow conduits in said hub portion and said annular eflluent chamber, and a ring dam for said annular eflluent chamber providing overflow for said third fraction material from said intermediate zone.

2. The rotor structure according to claim 1, wherein said means for admitting feed mixture comprise passage means provided axially in said rotor shaft.

3. The rotor structure according to claim 1, wherein said means for admitting feed mixture comprise centrally disposed intermediate passage means between said transverse conduit means and said influent chamber.

4. The rotor structure according to claim 1, wherein said means for admitting feed mixture comprise a feed chamber formed by a hollow member surrounding the rotor shaft and fastened to said hub portion of the bowl, and passage means in said hub portion providing communication between said feed chamber and said radial conduit portions.

5. The rotor structure according to claim 1, with first influent passage means provided in said shaft communicating with said transverse conduit means, and additional passage means provided between said central influent chamber and said transverse conduit means, said first and additional influent passage means adapted to admit feed liquid into said transverse conduit means.

6. The rotor structure according to claim 1, wherein said transverse conduit means are defined by recesses in said complementary construction and by a planar face on said hub portion.

7. In a centrifugal machine a rotor structure which comprises a pair of conically shaped bowl end portions having their wide ends connected to each other to constitute a rotor bowl providing an annular separating chamber; overflow discharge means provided at the narrow end of one of said bowl end portions; discharge nozzles provided upon the outer periphery of the bowl intermediate said bowl end portions for centrifugally discharging underflow from said separating chamber; a hub portion closing the narrow end of the other bowl end portion with a first set of inflow passages in said hub portion spaced from one another around the rotor axis and with a second set of inflow passages in said hub portion spaced from one another around said axis and with divergent inflow conduits extending from respective second set inflow passages to the region of said nozzles; a rotor shaft extending from said hub portion through the narrow end of the first mentioned bowl end portion; a complementary construction removabiy connected to said hub portion and constituting therewith a transverse conduit means having a central portion and radial portions extending therefrom communicating with respective second set infiow passages in the hub portion, said complementary construction furthermore formed with a central influent chamber located outwardly from said transverse conduit means and having a centrally disposed outer entrance opening, and furthermore formed with transfer passages providing communication between said influent chamber and respective first set inflow passages in the hub portion for delivery of feed mixture from said influent chamber to said separating chamber; means for admitting control liquid into said transverse conduit means for delivery through said second set inflow openings and said divergent inflow conduits to the region of said nozzles; and means for discharging from said separating chamber a third fraction, which comprises a first set of outflow conduits in said hub portion spaced from one another around the rotor axis and having their inlet ends located to receive third fraction material from an intermediate zone in said separating chamber, an annular efliuent chamber in said complementary construction concentric with said influent chamber, a second set of outflow conduits in said complementary construction spaced from one another around the rotor axis and providing communication between said first set of outflow conduits in said hub portion and said annular effluent chamber, and a ring dam for said annular effluent chamber providing overflow for said third fraction material from said intermediate zone.

8. The rotor structure according to claimv 7, wherein said complementary construction has a centrally disposed intermediate passage means between said central influent chamber and said transverse conduit means for the ad mission of control liquid therethrough.

9. The rotor structure according to claim 7, with first influent passage means provided in said shaft communicating with said transverse conduit means, and additional passage means provided between said central influent chamber and said transverse conduit means, said first and additional influent passage means adapted to admit control liquids into said transverse conduit means.

10. The rotor structure according to claim 7, wherein said transverse conduit means are defined by recesses in said complementary construction and by a. planar face on said hub portion.

References Qited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,847,751 3/32 Coe.

1,923,455 8/33 Peltzer et al.

1,945,786 2/34 Peltzer et al. 233-28 2,138,468 11/38 Ayres 23314 2,417,747 3/47 Flowers 233-46 X 2,625,321 1/53 Glasson 233-49 2,628,021 2/53 Staaii 233-14 2,685,369 8/54 Crossley 233-44 X 2,958,461 11/60 Peltzer 233-47 X 2,973,896 3/61 Peltzer 23322 X 3,073,516 1/63 Glasson 233-28 3,080,108 3/63 Jacobson 233--14 HARRY B. THORNTON, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE A ROTOR STRUCTURE WHICH COMPRISES A PAIR OF CONICALLY SHAPED BOWL END PORTIONS HAVING THEIR WIDE ENDS CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER TO CONSTITUTE A ROTOR BOWL PROVIDING AN ANNULAR SEPARATING CHAMBER; OVERFLOW DISCHARGE MEANS PROVIDED AT THE NARROW END OF ONE OF SAID BOWL END PORTIONS; DISCHARGE NOZZLES PROVIDED UPON THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF THE BOWL INTERMEDITE SAID BOWL END PORTIONS FOR CENTRIFUGALLY DISCHARGING UNDERFLOW FROM SAID SEPARATING CHAMBER; A HUB PORTION CLOSING THE NARROW END OF THE OTHER BOWL END PORTION WITH A FIRST SET OF INFLOW PASSAGES IN SAID HUB PORTION SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER AROUND THE ROTOR AXIS AND WITH A SECOND SET OF INFLOW PASSAGES IN SAID HUB PORTION SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER AROUND SAID AXIS AND WITH DIVERGENT INFLOW CONDUITS EXTENDING FROM RESPECTIVE SECOND SET INFLOW PASSAGES TO THE REGION OF SAID NOZZLES; A ROTOR SHAFT EXTENDING FROM SAID HUB PORTION THROUGH THE NARROW END OF THE FIRST MENTIONED BOWL END PORTION; A COMPLEMENTARY CONSTRUCTION REMOVABLY CONNECTED TO THE HUB PORTION AND CONSTITUTING THEREWITH A TRANSVERSE CONDUIT MEANS HAVING A CENTRAL PORTION AND RADIAL PORTIONS EXTENDING THEREFROM COMMUNICATING WITH RESPECTIVE FIRST SET INFLOW PASSAGES IN THE HUB PORTION, SAID COMPLEMENTARY CONSTRUCTION FURTHEREMORE FORMED WITH A CENTRAL INFLUENT CHAMBER LOCATED OUTWARDLY FROM SAID TRANSVERSE CONDUIT MEANS AND HAVING A CENTRALLY DISPOSED OUTER ENTRANCE OPENING, AND FURTHERMORE FORMED WITH TRANSFER PASSAGES PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID INFLUENT CHAMBER AND RESPECTIVE SECOND SET INFLOW PASSAGES IN THE HUB PORTION FOR DELIVERY OF CONTROL LIQUID FROM SAID INFLUENT CHAMBER THROUGH SAID DIVERGENT CONDUITS TO THE REGION OF SAID NOZZLES; MEANS FOR ADMITTING FEED MIXTURE INTO SAID TRANSVERSE CONDUIT MEANS FOR DELIVERY THROUGH SAID FIRST SET INFLOW OPENINGS INTO THE SEPARATING CHAMBER; AND MEANS FOR DISCHARGING FROM SAID SEPARATING CHAMBER A THIRD FRACTION, WHICH MENS COMPRISE A FIRST SET OF OUTFLOW CONDUITS IN SAID HUB PORTION SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER AROUND THE ROTOR AXIS AND HAVING THEIR INLET ENDS LOCATED TO RECEIVE THIRD FRACTION MATERIAL FROM AN INTERMEDIATE ZONE IN SAID SEPARATING CHAMBER, AN ANNULAR EFFLUENT CHAMBER IN SAID COMPLEMENTARY CONSTRUCTION CONCENTRIC WITH SAID INFLUENT CHAMBER, A SECOND SET OF OUTFLOW CONDUITS IN SAID COMPLEMENTARY CONSTRUCTION SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER AROUND THE ROTOR AXIS AND PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID FIRST SET OF OUTFLOW CONDUITS IN SAID HUB PORTION AND SAID ANNULAR EFFLUENT CHAMBER, AND A RING DAM FOR SAID ANNULAR EFFLUENT CHAMBER PROVIDING OVERFLOW FOR SAID THIRD FRACTION MATERIAL FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE ZONE. 